Nigeria international Olisa Ndah is still waiting to make his first appearance for Stellenbosch FC, more than a month after joining the South African club, Soccernet.ng reports.
The 28-year-old defender moved to the team in February, but the Super Eagles star has not been able to play yet because he is still waiting for his work permit to be approved.
Stellenbosch coach Gavin Hunt admitted that the situation has been frustrating, especially because the paperwork process has taken longer than expected.
“I'd love to get into the team, but some people get work permits much quicker than other people,” said Hunt as per SuperSport.
The delay has surprised many at the club. Ndah previously played in South Africa for Orlando Pirates, but he still needs a new permit because he has changed employers.
Hunt explained that this should normally be a quick process.
“I mean, it's just a change of employee. So it should be something quick, isn't it? If you compare big leagues around the world, if a foreign player comes in they all get the work permit gets done through a particular person for all the clubs.
“So I think that should happen, but it's never happened like that. So it's a bit disappointing because he's been in close to a month, and he should have played by now.”
Ndah had originally been expected to make his debut earlier, possibly during Stellenbosch’s league match against Magesi FC at the Danie Craven Stadium in the Betway Premiership.
However, the paperwork has not yet been completed, meaning he is still waiting to step onto the pitch for his new club.
Hunt is hopeful that the situation will soon be resolved and that Ndah can finally be part of the squad when Stellenbosch face Lamontville Golden Arrows in Umlazi.
How Ndah ended up at Stellenbosch after leaving Orlando Pirates
Ndah joined Stellenbosch on a free transfer after leaving Orlando Pirates at the end of January.
The defender cancelled his contract with Pirates because he wanted to play more regularly. His final months at the club were difficult, as injuries and a drop in form limited his opportunities.
During his four-and-a-half years with the Buccaneers, Ndah played 81 matches and started 73 of them. His last appearance came in September 2024 against Polokwane City, where he captained Pirates in a 3-0 Betway Premiership win.
But that match also turned into a turning point in his career. Ndah fractured his tibia during the game and spent a long period recovering from the injury.
The centre-back has also represented Nigeria's Super Eagles at the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations. His most recent international appearance came in a 3-0 Africa Cup of Nations qualification victory over Benin national football team in September 2024, which was his third cap for Nigeria.
By joining Stellenbosch, Ndah also became part of a growing Nigerian presence at the club. Midfielder Ibraheem Jabaar and right-back Kazie Enyinnaya are already in the squad, while winger Stanley Dimgba was the first Nigerian to represent the club before moving to Enyimba.
Before moving to South Africa, Ndah built his reputation in the Nigerian league. He first joined Remo Stars during the 2018–19 season and later moved to Akwa United in January 2020.
At Akwa United, he won the Nigeria Professional Football League title, the first major trophy of his career, which helped attract interest from clubs outside Nigeria.
That strong form eventually earned him a move to Orlando Pirates in August 2021, where he spent several seasons in South African football.
Now at Stellenbosch, Ndah hopes the work permit issue will soon be resolved so he can finally begin the next chapter of his career and show why the club signed him.
